Standing forlorn and in a dilapidated condition, 138 years old Shri Ranbir Singh Library, though situated in the heart of the city of Jammu and having been the abode of hours together to countless lovers of reading and learning, is requiring our immediate attention to restore it its due sheen, shine, glory and pride which it rightfully is entitled to. By saying “our immediate attention” not only primarily involves the Government but the reading public who are required to raise concerns for the present condition of this library, the social and literary groups, the NGOs and of course, the political class . Our political leaders are bringing in focus primarily to embarrass and berate one another for not doing enough “for the public” when in power but hardly have there been instances when a word of protecting this symbol and developing it into a modern library right from its ambiance to housing more books of reference and other material , has ever been said.
The other aspect which can only be rued is that the love for books and reading ones is showing a decreasing trend day by day as other electronic and internet aided material is available readily even on small devices like mobile phones but books have their specific grace and value of innumerable proportions. That verily speaks the membership scramble for it not being of unmanageable proportions. Books and their importance, more so after School, College and University levels, are considered not necessary, call it new trend or changes but that does not justify such a symbol of pride as this library, should not be taken care of.
This library, of course, is having a rich treasure of rare and heritage books which need not only to be protected from recurring damages, preserved properly but augmented with newer ones especially on the research works done in recent years. State Department of Libraries and Research, of course, needs paying more attention towards not only the ambiance and other related issues but the rate of books going “missing” must be stopped earnestly as reports have it that as many as five books meet this fate on weekly basis from this library .If this trend remains unchecked, it will deplete the library of its rich contents and treasure. That is more alarming. Necessary funds augmentation and proper earmarking the same, must be addressed by the Government on priority.
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